Description
Incus is a system container and virtual machine manager. Prior to version 7.2.0, instance snapshots ignore the `restricted.containers.lowlevel=block` setting; allowing for arbitrary command execution on the Incus server by abusing lowlevel hooks such as `raw.lxc` and `raw.qemu`. Version 7.2.0 patches the issue.
Published: 2026-08-21
Score: 9.9 Critical
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Arbitrary Command Execution
Action: Immediate Patch
AI Analysis

Impact

Incus, a system container and virtual machine manager, contains a flaw where instance snapshots ignore the restricted.containers.lowlevel=block configuration setting. Because low‑level hooks such as raw.lxc and raw.qemu are processed during snapshot creation, an attacker can inject malicious commands that execute on the Incus host. This allows arbitrary command execution on the underlying server, effectively compromising the entire host operating system. Based on the description, it is inferred that the attacker must have the ability to create or modify instance snapshots, which generally requires privileged or authenticated access to the Incus daemon.

Affected Systems

The affected product is Incus under the lxc:incus project. All releases prior to version 7.2.0 are vulnerable when instance snapshots are taken, as the tool fails to enforce the restricted.containers.lowlevel=block setting. Version 7.2.0 patches the issue by restoring the enforcement of the configuration during snapshot handling.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 9.9 marks the vulnerability as critical. The EPSS score of 0.00703 (i.e., < 1%) indicates a very low probability of exploitation, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. Attackers need the ability to create or modify instance snapshots, which typically requires privileged or authenticated local access to the Incus daemon. Once this condition is met, the attacker can provide crafted hook data that triggers arbitrary command execution on the host. Based on the description, it is inferred that the attack vector hinges on the ability to create or modify instance snapshots.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 26, 2026 at 14:21 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade Incus to version 7.2.0 or later, which restores enforcement of the restricted.containers.lowlevel=block setting during snapshot handling.
  • If an upgrade is not immediately possible, disable low‑level hooks used for snapshots by removing or restricting raw.lxc and raw.qemu hooks to prevent execution of untrusted code.
  • Enforce the restricted.containers.lowlevel=block configuration before snapshot creation and verify that it is respected while the patch cannot be applied.
  • Continuously monitor Incus logs for unusual hook activity to detect attempts to exploit the vulnerability.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 26, 2026 at 14:21 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories
Source ID Title
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6370-1 incus security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6373-1 lxd security update
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-48q5-w887-33wv Incus has a restricted project bypass leading to arbitrary command execution
History

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-863
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

threat_severity

Critical


Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Lxc
Lxc incus
Vendors & Products Lxc
Lxc incus

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 14:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Incus is a system container and virtual machine manager. Prior to version 7.2.0, instance snapshots ignore the `restricted.containers.lowlevel=block` setting; allowing for arbitrary command execution on the Incus server by abusing lowlevel hooks such as `raw.lxc` and `raw.qemu`. Version 7.2.0 patches the issue.
Title Incus has a restricted project bypass leading to arbitrary command execution
Weaknesses CWE-862
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.9, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H'}


cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: GitHub_M

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-21T15:15:09.821Z

Reserved: 2026-05-22T19:10:35.748Z

Link: CVE-2026-48751

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-08-21T15:16:40.527

Modified: 2026-08-21T16:17:17.533

Link: CVE-2026-48751

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Critical

Publid Date: 2026-08-21T14:21:03Z

Links: CVE-2026-48751 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-26T14:30:07Z

Weaknesses